Arthur Ackley was born Dec. 1920 in Camden, New Jersey to parents Charles N. Ackley and Mary Bogan. His mother died in 1922, when Arthur was only 18 months old. He was primarily raised by his older siblings Charles, Mary Mildred, Catherine and Regina. His other siblings, Edward, Catherine, Grace and about 5 others, had all died before his birth.
   
At about age 4 or 5 years Arthur and his sister Regina were temporarily removed from their family home and sent to stay at Lakeland Sanatorium in Ancora, NJ. Its been said that most of the young children in North Camden were sent here to receive proper nutrition, vitamins and fresh air. Arthur is shown in this photo with his sister Regina at Lakeland.
   
Arthur attended the Immaculate Conception Catholic Grammar School and graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1938.
   
In 1945 Arthur joined the Merchant Marines as an able-bodied seaman. He was assigned to the M.S. Texas Sun and shipped put from Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania.

Arthur and the crew stopped at many ports, including Panama, Tinian, Pagan, Guadalcanal, Eniwetok, Saipan, New Guinea, New Caledonia and Guam. During one tour the ship  narrowly missed being hit by a Japanese torpedo.
   
In April 1949 Arthur married Dorothy Reed of Kimber Street, Camden, New Jersey. Their first child, Diane, was born in Camden. In 1957 Arthur moved his little family to Southern California, where Cynthia and Brian, their two other children, were born.

In October 2004, after 55 years of marriage, Arthur's wife Dorothy passed away after a year-long battle with lung cancer.
   
Arthur passed away on 26 February 2008 at Canoga Park, California. He is survived by daughter Diane (Guy), daughter Cynthia (Colin), son Brian (Lisa), six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.